Feeding apparatus for sheet material



July 1, 1969 J. G. BENJAMIN 3,452,981

FEEDING APPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed May 28, 1965 Sheet Lof 6 MW & "18 I V" 25 g I 2620 lhllh v i I I H W" \l ll, 1 114 r5 Jv II1 1 J I I If 112-: 5.?" 113-: r5 115,. v I I INVENTOR. :123 L PRESSUREVACUUM cTOHNGTBEIWAMIN 136 7' SOURCE SOURCE July 1, 1969 J. G. BENJAMINv FEEDING APPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIAL Sheet Original Fi led May 28,1965 m1 W B 6 y 1, 1969 J. G. BENJAMIN 3,452,981

FEEDING APPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed May 28, 1965 Sheet iof 6 INVENTOR. Jozw Gf BEAVAMIN July 1, 1969 J. G. BENJAMIN FEEDINGAPPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed May 28, 1965 Sheet g i T QWVI INVENTOR. JOHN G? BENJAMIN I111 11L V I r 1 I mmwwwfimmu I i ga I I{.WMW A m y 1, 1969 J. G. BENJAMIN 3,452,981

FEEDING APPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed May 28, 1965 Sheet 5of e INVENTOR. Jam! 6. fl'N/HMIN y 1, 1969 J. G. BENJAMIN 3,452,981

I I FEEDING APPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed May 28, 1965Sheet 6 of s,

DIFFERENTIATOR 415" I N VEN TOR.

JOHN G. BENJAMIN United States Patent US. Cl. 271-64 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for selectively directing a sheet materialinto one of a plurality of output passages is shown. Means for abruptlyswitching the pressure at the leading edge of the sheet material todirect the sheet material to the desired output passage are included.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 459,695, filedMay 28, 1965, now US. Patent No. 3,358,554.

The present invention is concerned with feeding apparatus for sheetmaterial and more particularly with apparatus for feeding sheet materialhaving intelligence thereon upon which an operation is performed as thesheet material passes through the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide a sheet material feedingapparatus in which the sheet material leaving the apparatus normallyenters one compartment but can be caused to enter another compartment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an arrangementin which the retention of the sheet material against or its release froma main carrier belt is accomplished by the selective use of air undervacuum or under pressure.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration ofthe accompanying specification, claims and drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my apparatus for feeding sheetmaterial, showing the exterior of the cabinet in which said apparatus ishoused;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, partly schematic, taken along the line 22of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows adjacent thatline;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus taken alongthe line 33 of FIGURE 7, with certain portions omitted for purposes ofclarity;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of a box over which a belt carrying thesheet material is passed and which applies a vacuum to the sheetmaterial through the 'belt as the sheet material moves thereover;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the same box showing a portionof the belt passing thereover broken away to show the vane constructionof the box;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, somewhat schematic, taken immediatelybeneath the top cover of the cabinet and looking downwardly at a portionof the apparatus;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of a portion of the apparatus with a portionof the cabinet broken away to see some of the elements within thecabinet;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the right-hand knob assembly, thesection of the upper portion being taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 7along two sectional planes displaced 120 degrees and the section of thelower portion thereof being taken along a straight sectional plane whichwould be indicated by continuation of the lower portion of line 88 ofFIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view of the mechanism for shifting the belts andfor retaining the tilting mechanism in depressed position and theelectrical apparatus and circuitry for controlling the same; and

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of a portion of a belt 34 shown in FIGURE2.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, I have shown my improved sheet materialhandling mechanism as part of a character reading apparatus for whichthe sheet material handling mechanism is particularly designed. Thereference numeral 10 is employed to designate an overall cabinet havinga front wall 11, a left side wall 12 and a top wall 13. Front wall 11 isprovided with a recessed portion 14 which is designed to accommodate thelegs and knees of an operator when he is seated in a chair in front ofthe apparatus. Cabinet 10 is also provided with a rear wall 16 and abottom wall 17, both shown in FIGURE 2. On the right-hand side of thecabinet, the apparatus may have a plurality of drawers 18 for housingvarious portions of the equipment.

The top wall 13 is depressed at the front to provide a shelf portion 20.This shelf portion, as best shown in FIGURE 3, is provided on itsleft-hand side with a plurality of concentric knobs 21 and 22. Theseknobs are provided for the purpose of positioning and clamping the sheetmaterial being fed through the mechanism. The shelf also has thereonknobs 23 and 24, which are used to control the feeding mechanism. Adetailed description of knobs 21, 22, 23 and 24 and of the apparatuscontrolled thereby, including the braking and drive mechanisms, is setforth in my US. Patent No. 3,358,554.

As also best shown in FIGURE 3, a substantial portion of the shelfportion 20 is cut away to provide an opening over which is fastened aplate 25 having an opening 26 and a throat portion 27 communicating withthe opening 26. The plate 25, as shown in FIGURE 3, is provided on itsunderside near its rear edge with hooks 28 (only one of which is shown)which extend under a flange portion of a supporting member at therearward extremity of the ledge. The plate 25 is fastened to the ledge20 at its forward side by a plurality of quick releasable fasteningmeans 30 of any suitable type.

The throat or passageway 27 is formed by a tubular extension of theplate 25. This tubular extension may be separately formed and secured tothe plate so that it constitutes a single unitary assembly. The tubularextension constituting the throat 27 has a lower wall 31 and an upperwall 32. The lower wall 31 is relatively short, terminating adjacent toa belt 34. The tubular extension bounded by the two walls 31 and 32provides an initial guide for sheet material inserted in the opening 26.The extension is accordingly of a width exceeding the width of thematerial to be handled by the apparatus.

An elongated lens element 37 is supported by a pair of bracket members38 and 39 secured to the underside of the plate 25 as shown in FIGURE 3.This lens element has an upper curved surface 40 which may be viewed byan operator and a lower curved surface 41 which faces the sheet materialpassing through the apparatus. It will be noted that the curved surface41 passes close to but slightly spaced from any sheet material carriedby the belt 34. The lens 37 is employed for a variety of functionsincluding that of determining whether the row or rows of indicia on thepaper are tilted or are correctly lined up. The lens element also aidsin determining not only the size but also the disposition of the indiciaon the paper, and the extent to which the paper or other sheet materialis wrinkled. Lens element 37 and the apparatus related thereto aredescribed in my US. Patent No. 3,358,554.

In order to illuminate the sheet material as it is passing beneath thelens 37, there are provided a plurality of light bulbs 42 which areshown in FIGURES 3 and 7. As best shown in FIGURE 3, these can befastened in clips formed from upturning a portion of the upper wall 32of the tubular extension 27 of the upper plate 25. As best shown inFIGURE 7, there will be a plurality of these bulbs 42 spaced across theentire width of the sheet material so as to uniformly illuminate thesame as the sheet material passes beneath the lens 37. It is, of course,understood that the bulbs 42 will be connected to any suitable source ofelectricity, being energized whenever the apparatus is to be placed intooperation.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that in addition to belt 34,there are two other belts 44 and 45. Belt 44 passes over three rollers46, 47 and 48. Roller 48 is driven by means to be described later. Thebelt 34 is disposed over rollers 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54, all but 52 ofwhich are driven rollers.

The third belt is disposed over rollers 56, 57 and 58, roller 57 being adriven roller. Belts 34 and 44 are of special construction which will bedescribed later. Roller 46 is journaled on an axle carried by a pair ofcrossbars 49 which are journaled about the shaft on which roller 47 isjournaled. As can be determined from a compari- Son of FIGURE 2 andFIGURE 3, the bars 49 are tiltable about the shaft of rollers 47 so asto carry the roller 46 between an uppermost position shown in FIGURE 3to the position shown in FIGURE 2 in which the belt 44 is in clampingengagement with the sheet material being supplied to the apparatus.

Referring back to the cabinet and particularly to FIG- URES 1 and 2, itwill be observed that any sheet material inserted in the opening 26 willbe engaged between belts 34 and 44 when the bars 49 are tilted to theposition shown in FIGURE 2 and that this material will be carriedbetween the two belts.

While the material is passing underneath the lens 37 and before beingengaged by the belt 44, the material passes over a vacuum box 60 havinga plurality of vanes 69 therein, as will be described presently. Thebelt 34 is apertured and when suction is present in box 60 the suctioneffect is transmitted through belt 34 to the sheet material lying onbelt 34 to hold the sheet material firmly in engagement with the belt.This arrangement is particularly important where automatic feedingequipment is employed for introducing the sheet material. After leavingthe belt 44, the paper overlies a portion of the belt 34 which passesover a second vacuum chamber 62. As best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, thisbox 62 is provided therein with a plurality of vanes 65, which extendsubstantially into the interior chamber 63 of box 62 and whose outerextremities lie in the same plane as the outer edge walls of the box. Asshown at 64 in FIGURE 4 in connection with the upper wall of the box,the outer extremity of the walls may be some material of very lowcoeflicient of friction, such as the fluorocarbon plastics commonlyknown as Teflon and Kel-F. It is to be understood that the other walledges of chamber 62 in contact with belt 34 are similarly provided withouter extremities formed of such low friction material. Each of thevanes 65 similarly has a low friction material applied at its outeredge. As will be noted from FIGURE 5, the belt 34 passes over the vacuumchamber 63 moving parallel to the vanes 65.

The vacuum box 62 is connected through a fitting 66 and any suitableconduit 67 (shown schematically in FIGURE 2) to a source 68 of vacuum.Vacuum chamber 60 may also be connected, as will be described later, tothe vacuum source 68. It is to be understood that vacuum chamber 60 isformed similarly to chamber 62, having the edges engaging the belt 34being coated with a low friction material. Similarly, the chamber 60, asindicated by the dotted line 69, has a series of vanes therein (similarto vanes 65 of box 62).

As was previously noted and as will be described in more detail, thebelt 34 is formed with a plurality of openings therethrough. The lowpressure present in box 62 can thus be applied through the belt 34 toact on any sheet material disposed thereon. The presence of the lowpressure in box 62 not only allows the higher pressure exterior of thebox to hold the sheet material in position on the belt 34 without anysupport but also enables the higher exterior pressure to hold the sheetmaterial in a flat position relatively free of wrinkles.

While the sheet material being processed is disposed over the portion ofbelt 34 passing the face of the vacuum chamber 62 it is in the positionin which it can be processed in the desired manner. The area beingprocessed has a width L and a height H, as indicated by legends onFIGURES 2 and 3.

My invention is particularly applicable to an arrangement in whichindicia on the sheet material are automatically recognized by a suitablecharacterrecognition system. The intelligence present on this sheet maybe photographed or any of various other processes may be performed inconnection with the sheet material while it overlies the vacuum chamber62.

In order for the operator to properly monitor the passage of the sheetmaterial and the operation of the equipment upon the material, I providemeans for projecting onto a screen the line and immediately adjacentlines of indicia on the printed sheet which is being operated on at anygiven moment. Referring to FIGURES 2 and 6, I have provided a lens 76and a plurality of mirrors 77 and 78. The means for supporting themirrors 77 and 78 are not shown in the drawing. It is to be understoodthat any suitable means can be employed for mounting these mirrors sothat the reflecting surfaces are free and that no obstruction exists inthe optical path. A pair of lamps 80 and 81 are shown, by way ofexample, as providing for the illumination of that portion of indiciapassing over the open face of the vacuum chamber 62 which is to beprojected onto the screen 75. These lamps 80 and 81 can be supported inany suitable manner. In FIGURE 6, I have shown somewhat schematicallythe relationship between the screen 75 and the flat wholly exposed faceof the belt 34 over vacuum box 62 within which region the information onthe sheet material is viewed. Referring to the various optical ray linesshown therein, it will be noted that light from the right-hand side ofthe material being observed passes, as shown by ray line 84 through thelens 76 striking the mirror 77 closely adjacent the left-hand side ofthe reflecting surface. As shown by ray line 85, the same ray isreflected onto the right-hand portion of the reflecting surface ofmirror 78 and is reflected from there, as shown by ray line 87, onto theright-hand side of the viewing surface 75. Similarly, as indicated bythe ray lines 88, 89 and 90, the image rays from the lefthand side ofthe portion being viewed as it passes over chamber 62, are transmittedthrough lens 76 engaging the reflective surface 77 adjacent itsright-hand edge, are reflected off of the left-hand edge of mirror 78and are projected onto the viewing screen 75 to form an image at itsleft-hand side. It will furthermore be noted, from a comparison of therelative size of the original image region being viewed as it passesover the vacuum chamber 62 and of the image formed between rays 87 and90 on screen 75, that the original material is enlarged as it appears onthe screen 75. This enables the operator to read the indicia appearingthereon even though they are relatively small. Further detaileddescription of the projection system is provided in my US. Patent No.3,358,- 554.

It will be readily observed that the provision of the viewing screen 75enables the operator to readily observe in enlarged fashion the portionof the material passing over the vacuum chamber 62 which is beingscanned, photographed or otherwise handled. In case of any malfunction,the operator is able to obsrve the general area at which the malfunctionoccurs and to take manual corrective action if necessary.

As mentioned above, one of the applications of my sheet materialhandling mechanism and the one for which it is particularly designed isthat of character recognition. While the particular scanning mechanismforms no part of the invention of the present application and variousscanning means may be employed, I have schematically shown in FIGURE 6an arrangement for scanning the indicia on the sheet material as itrides on belt 34 over the face of the vacuum chamber. The numeral 101 isemployed to identify a conventional vidicon camera. Of course, it willbe understood that other image pickup devices such as the imageorthicon, image dissector, iconoscope, photocell strip or matrix mightalso be used in various circumstances in place of the vidicon. A vidiconcamera, such as shown for purposes of illustration, has a photosensitivetarget plate 102 upon which is produced a charge image that is scannedby an electron beam from a gun within the vidicon. The vidicon 101 ishoused within a light-tight housing 103 having a lens barrel 104 with afront lens element 105. In converting an image to an electrical signalsequence by scanning, a vidicon camera tube gives better net resolutionresults if the area of the sheet material imaged on target plate 102 forsubsequent scanning is relatively small. It is accordingly contemplatedthat at least one relatively small portion, AL of each line of indiciato be scanned will be imaged at any one time across 102 and either theAL image on 102 will be shifted along the line as the scanning operationprogresses or 2 the entire line length L will be presented in ALsegments with ends overlapping as two or more AL images stacked oneabove the other on the vidicon target 102. In order to accomplish this,I provide an optical arrangement schematically shown at 106. Thisarrangement, while shown as a single mirror, would actually be acomposite lens, mirror and/ or prism arrangement probably employing atleast two movable or adjustable mirrors. This mirror arrangement 106cooperates with a further mirror 107 which is supported within thecabinet by any suitable supporting means as designed by the numeral 83.As indicated in FIGURE 6, the AL portion being made available on plate102 for scanning at any one time corresponds to the portion betweenimage edge rays 108 and 109. These rays are reflected off of mirror 107,thence off from mirror 106, thence passing through lens 105 to form animage on the photosensitive target plate 102. It will be obvious that ifthe mirror 106 is rotated about an axis at right angles to the plane ofthe paper, the portion of the line between image edge rays 108 and 109will gradually move along the line. Thus any AL portion of the entireline length L can be imaged on 102 for scanning. Also with additionalmirrors and/or prisms at 106 and possibly at 107, additional AL portionsof L can be simultaneously imaged on target plate 102.

Referring back to the movement of the sheet material through theapparatus and back to FIGURE 2, the sheet material will, as pointed outabove, be pressure held to the belt 34 as it passes downwardly throughviewing and scanning region H in front of the vacuum chamber 62, due tothe vacuum in the chamber. As the sheet material passes below thechamber, it is engaged between a sheet material feeding means, forexample belts 45 and 34, and the sheet material being fed is once againheld between two belts. Upon leaving belt 45, the sheet material iscaused to pass into either one of two hoppers or a pair of alignedoutlet passages 110 and 111. The hopper or one of the two outletpassages 110 has an upper wall portion 112 which at its uppermostportion is bent slightly to the right to help deflect any sheets movingalong the belt into the hopper 110. Below the uppermost deflectorportion, the upper wall 112 drops almost vertically downwardly to enablethe sheet to drop relatively freely after leaving the belt 34.Thereafter, the upper wall 112 slants on a diagonal, terminating at aslot 114 partially closed by a stop plate 115. The lower wall 113 of thehopper 110 extends generally parallel to the upper wall 112. At itsupper end, like wall 112, it is provided with a sloping deflectingportion to facilitate the removal of sheets from, the belt 34. Sincethis lower wall 113 constitutes the upper wall of the other hopper 111,the primary function of this deflecting portion is to deflect materialinto hopper 111 when this action is called for, as will be presentlyexplained. The lower wall 113 is abruptly bent at 116 to cause the lowerportion of the wall 113 to be offset downwardly with respect to theremaining portion. The purpose of this is to permit the sheets ofmaterial entering the hopper or outlet passage 110 to pile up and yetnot interfere with the passage of additional sheets. The depth of theoffset 116 determines the thickness of the pile of material that can beallowed to accumulate in hopper or outlet passage 110 before the pilehas to be withdrawn through slot 114.

The hopper or the other of the two outlet passages 111 is very similarto hopper or outlet passage 110 having a lower wall 120, the lowermostportion of which is offset at 121 mith respect to the upper portion toallow sheet material to accumulate therein and not to impede the passageof further sheets onto the pile. The hopper or outlet passage 111terminates at its lower end in an opening 122 which is partially closedby a stop plate 123. As explained previously, the extreme upper end ofthe wall 113 common to the hoppers or pair of outlet passages 110 and111 is bent to the right somewhat so that while papers are to bedischarged into the hopper 111, the upper end of wall 113 tends toseparate the material from the belt 34. It will be further noted thatthe wall 113, common to the two hoppers or passages 110 and 111, isprovided with a diagonal deflecting plate 125 on the underside of theoffset portion 116 so that any sheet material descending through thehopper or outlet passage 111 will not be stopped by the offset portion113 but will move freely downwardly into the position where it isresting against the stop plate 123 adjacent the opening 122.

I employ means for determining whether the material being fed entershopper or outlet passage 110 or 111. For this purpose, I provide a meansfor normally causing the sheet material to remain in engagement mith thebelt, such as a pressure box 126 which may be either maintained at apositive pressure or at a negative pressure with respect to ambientpressure. The edges of this boX in contact with belt 34 may also havelow friction material thereon, similar to edge 64 of box 62. Connectedto this box is a means for controlling operation of a sheet materialengagement means, which in this embodiment includes a suitable conduit127 which leads to the outlet passage of a three-way valve 128. Thisvalve may be of any of various types of threeway valves but is shownschematically as having a valve spool 129 with an L- shaped passage 130.The valve 128 is connected to two inlet conduits 131 leading to apositive pressure source 132 and conduit 133 leading to the negatitvepressure source 68 previously referred to. A solenoid actuator 139 isemployed to rotate the valve spool 129. In the position shown, which isthe normal position, the spool 129 is in a position in which the box 126is connected through conduit 127, the L-shaped passage and conduit 133to the negative pressure source 68 so that a negative pressure ismaintained in the box 126. The box 126 is provided with vanes or othermeans providing apertures in its lower face, as with box 62, so that thelow pressure present in box 126 is applied through belt 34 (which, aspreviously explained, is perforated) to the bottom surface of any sheetmaterial on belt 34 to cause the ambient pressure on the sheet materialtop surface to hold it in engagement with the belt 34 as the sheetmaterial passes the upper end of the hopper wall member 113 dividinghoppers 110 and 111. Under these conditions, the material enters thehopper 110 which is the good paper hopper. In order to facilitate theseparation of the paper or the sheet material from the belt 34, I haveprovided means for selectively forcing the sheet material away from thebelt, which in this embodiment includes an elongated tube 135, the endof which constitutes a nozzle. This tube 135 is connected through aconduit 136 to the pressure source 132. The effect of tube 135 is tocause any paper passing the divider 113 between hoppers 110 and 111 tobe deflected away from the belt 34 to enter the hopper 110.

Where it is desirable to reject certain sheets, means are provided forinsuring that these sheets go down the reject hopper 111 so that thesheets which have been properly processed are in one hopper while thosewhich have not been processed are in a different hopper.

Where the apparatus is used merely to feed one sheet through at a time,the solenoid 139 can be controlled directly through a manual switch,which is part of the knob 23 assembly. This switch is shownschematically in series with the winding of the solenoid 139 anddesignated by the reference numeral 137. The switch 137 may have afurther automatically controlled switch in parallel therewith. As willbe described later, I provide automatic means for sensing when a paperor sheet approaches the roller 46, this means being effective to lowerroller 46 into the position shown in FIGURE 2. The same means may beemployed for producing a signal indicative of the position on the beltof the sheet at that time. When it is determined automatically, such asby the scanning apparatus being unable to scan the material, thisparallel switch will be closed momentarily. Regardless of whether thesolenoid valve is manually or automatically controlled, the actuation ofthe valve 128 will be done in accordance with belt position and time sothat the pressure will be applied to chamber 126 to eject the sheet intothe reject hopper 111 at exactly the time that the leading edge of thesheet to be rejected is passing roller 58. Furthermore, the apparatuscan automatically sense the trailing edge of the sheet and determinewhen the pressure should be removed from chamber 126 and the vacuumre-applied.

The construction of knobs 23 and 24 is best shown in FIGURE 8. As shownin that figure, the knobs 23 and 24 are mounted concentrically on theshelf 20. The various elements of the knob assembly are supported by acylindrical bracket member 256. This bracket member is secured to theunderside of panel 20 and has two concentric annular walls, namely aninner cylindrical wall 257 and an outer cylindrical wall 258 spaced toprovide an annular passage therebetween. The ring 24 constituting theouter knob slidably extends into this annular passage and engages abearing ring 259, suitable bearings being disposed therebetween.Extending from the bearing ring 259 are three pins 260, 261 and a pinnot shown in the drawing. As previously mentioned, the upper portion ofFIGURE 8 is sectioned so that there are two sectional planes 120 spacedapart; thus it would appear that pins 260 and 261 are diametricallyopposed. Actually these pins are spaced 120 apart. Interposed betweenthe hearing ring 259 and the lower wall of the annular chamber boundedby walls 257 and 258 is a spring 263. The supporting bracket 256 isprovided with a side extension 265 which suports a switch 266 having anoperating plunger 267 lying in the path of pin 260. The switch 266 is ofthe type in which the switch is moved to successively differentpositions upon successive actuation of the plunger 267. The switch 266may include a single pole, single throw switch and also a single pole,double throw switch. When the plunger is actuated once, it is moved toone of its two circuit controlling positions; the next time the plungeris actuated, the switch moves to its other circuit controlling position,etc. It will be obvious that whenever ring 24 is depressed, the pin 260engages the plunger 267 to change the position of the switch element ofswitch 266. The switch 266 is employed as the main switch for startingand stopping of the apparatus including the application of driving powerto the various gear driven rollers for moving and guiding belts 34, 44and 45.

The knob 23 is shown as a hollow knob and is secured as by a set screw267 to a sleeve 268 having a flange 269 supported by ball hearings on afurther flanged sleeve 270. This further sleeve 270 is located withinthe cylindrical chamber within the inner Wall 257 of bracket 256 and issupported vertically by a spring 272 interposed between the lower end ofthe sleeve 270 and the bottom wall 274 of the cylindrical chamber formedby a cylindrical extension 275 of the inner wall 257 of bracket 256.

The sleeve 270 is provided with a plurality of projecting pins 290, 291and a third pin not shown in FIGURE 8. These pins project through slots294 in the cylindrical extension 275 of the inner wall 257 of bracket256. It will be obvious that the pins 290 and 291 prevent rotation ofsleeve 270. When sleeve 270 is depressed, by reason of the depression ofknob 23, pin 290 is adapted to engage plunger 295 of the switch 137,previously referred to. The switch 137 is of the type which ismomentarily engaged when the plunger 295 is depressed. The switch 137 isemployed to control the pressure supplied to the pressure chamber 126,as was previously described.

Extending through the knob 23 and the sleeve 268 is a cylindrical pushrod 297 which is spring biased to the position shown in FIGURE 8 by aspring 298 located between the bottom wall 274 and a flange 299 carriedby the push rod 297. The push rod 297 carries an elongated collar 300having elongated teeth 301 and a conical lower extremity surface 302.The teeth 301 are provided for a driving connection with apparatus notforming part of the present invention. The conical lower end 302 isadapted to engage with a leaf spring 303 secured to an actuating arm 304of a switch 305. Since the section of the lower portion beginning withbottom wall 274 in FIGURE 8 is along a single plane, rather than twoplanes 120 apart as is the upper section, switch 305 is opposite toshaft 279. Switch 305 is of the precision snap type. When rod 297 isdepressed downwardly, snap switch 305 is moved by surface 302 actingthrough spring 303 and arm 304 to a position in which the contactsthereof are maintained separated as long as rod 297 is depressed.

The electrical circuit connections for sensing when a sheet approachesroller 46 and for controlling the energization of magnets 330 and 339will now be described. Referring first to FIGURE 3, it will be notedthat I have provided a light source 349 mounted in a reflector 342. Itwill be understood that the light source 349 is relatively long andextends substantially the full width of the sheet material. The same istrue of the reflector 342. In the outer portion of the reflector 342 isa cylindrical lens 344. As has been mentioned previously and as will bedescribed in more detail later, the belt 34 is provided With a pluralityof apertures therethrough or, in some embodiments, belt 34 may befabricated of materials which make it translucent, as will be presentlydescribed. Thus some of the light passing from bulb 349 and through lens344 onto the under surface of the belt 34 is able to pass therethrough.Mounted between the two yoke members 327 and extending substantially thefull width of the belt 34 is a light sensitive photosensitive element345. A typical cell that is suitable is a selenium voltaic cell of theB-17 type made by the International Rectifier Corporation. It will benoted from FIGURE 3 that even though shaft 325 lies between the lightsource 349 and the light sensitive cell 345, the light sensitive cell issubjected to illumination for the full width thereof. This is also truedespite the presence of the right-hand wall of chamber 60 adjacent aportion of the lens 344. It will be seen that the effect of the light349 and the lens 344 is to illuminate a narrow strip on the underside ofbelt 34 with sufiicient intensity so that the amount of light emergingfrom the top surface of belt 34 above this strip is suflicient toreliably actuate photosensitive element 345. This illuminated stripextends substantially the full width of 'belt 34 and at least betweenthat width represented by the distance between transverse lines 152 and144 of lens 37 in FIGURE 7 and the width of the strip extendssubstantially between points 347 and 348 on FIGURE 3. The light comingthrough belt 34 at point 347, as can be seen from the depicted lightpath, it able to illuminate the extreme left-hand edge of the lightsensitive element 345. Similarly, despite the presence of shaft 325 thelight at point 348 is able to illuminate the right-hand edge of thelight sensitive element 345. Thus, despite the presence of shaft 325,the light sensitive element 345 is adequately illuminated for thecontrol purposes to be described momentarily. It will also be noted thatwhen the roller 46 is lowered, the roller will intercept that part ofthis light coming from the strip region adjacent to point 347 so as todiminish the illumination of the cell. I have provided means forcompensating for this which will be described in connection with FIGURE19.

Referring to FIGURE 9, it will be noted that one terminal of cell 345 isgrounded and the opposite terminal thereof is connected through aconductor 350 with the upper terminal of a resistor 351, the lowerterminal of which is grounded. Thus the photovoltaic voltage output ofcell 345 applied across resistor 351. This voltage is applied throughconductor 352 to one of the two input terminals of a differentialoperational amplifier 353. The amplifier is of the type which has twoinput voltages applied thereto and produces an output voltage which isdependent in the polarity of its-output upon which of the two inputs isgreater. The amplifier is of a type with a very high gain and the outputof which changes from its negative saturation voltage to its positivesaturation voltage, depending upon whether the input voltage from thecell 345 is above or below the reference voltage applied to the otherinput terminal. A voltage is applied to the other input terminal andthis voltage is controlled by a relay 354, the energization of which iscontrolled by amplifier 353, Relay 354 comprises a relay coil 355, aplurality of movable contact members 356, 357, and 358, and a pluralityof fixed contact members 359, 360, 362, and 366. The movable contactsare biased to a position in which the contact member 357 i in engagementwith fixed contact member 359 and movable contact member 358 is inengagement with fixed contact member 366. The movable contact membersare movable upon energization of winding 355 to a position in which themovable contact members 356, 357 and 358 are in contact makingengagement with fixed contacts 360, 361 and 362, respectively. Theleft-hand terminal of relay coil 355 is connected through a conductor363 to the negative terminal 364 of a power supply 365. The negativeterminal 364 is at a negative potential corresponding to the negativesaturation output potential of amplifier 353. The output of amplifier353 is connected through a conductor 367, a resistor 368, a diode 369, aconductor 370, the switch 305 referred to in connection with FIGURE 8and switch 266a, one of the two switches of main switch 266, to theright-hand terminal of relay coil 355. It will be obvious that when theoutput of amplifier 353 is at its negative saturation value, which isthe condition existing when the photosensitive cell 345 is fullyilluminated, the right-hand end of the relay coil will be maintained atthe same potential as the left-hand end which is connected to thenegative terminal 364 of power supply 365, and the relay will bedeenergized. When, however, the illumination of photocell 345 issubstantialy diminished by the passage of sheet material as it ispositioned or carried on belt 34 between cell 345 and the light rayscoming through belt 34 from light 349 so that the voltage output fromthe cells load resistor 351 applied to the upper, inverting inputterminal of amplifier 353 decreases to say, a few millivolts (the amountbeing dependent upon the particular type of amplifier 353 used) lessthan the referencecomparison voltage supplied to the non-inverting inputterminal of amplifier 353 plus the particular differential offsetvoltage of the particular amplifier 353 used, the amplifier outputvoltage will be switched rapidly to its positive saturation value and apositive voltage will immediately be applied across relay coil 355 withrespect to terminal 364 of power supply 365, through conductor 367,resistor 368, diode as set at a more positive reference 369, conductor370, and closed switches 266a and 305. Connected in parallel with seriesconnected relay coil 355 and switches 266a and 305 is a variableresistor 371 for adjustment of the delay in de-energization of the relay354. Also connected in parallel with series connected relay 354 andswitches 266a and 305 is the series combination of a capacitor 372 and avariable resistor 373 for adjusting the delay in energization of relay354. The resistor 373 also acts to prevent the capacitor 372 frominitially shunting the relay winding 355 by completely bypassing thehigh frequency voltage change which occurs when the output of theamplifier changes from near its negative saturation voltage condition tonear its positive saturation voltage condition. Instead, when thiamplifier output change does occur, the speed with which relay coil 355becomes effectively energized can be varied slightly, depending on theresistance value set in variable resistor 373 and the capacitive valueof capacitor 372. Thus, if the resistance of variable resistor 371 isabout one to two times the resistance of coil 355 and variable resistor373 is about onefifth or less of the resistance of the variable resistor371, it will be evident that the resistance of resistor 368 can bechosen so as to limit the maximum voltage between wire 370 and wire 363(during the first moments after amplifier 353 switches to near positivesaturation) to a magnitude which is less than the voltage required tosupply minimum energizing current to coil 355 or relay 354, and that theamount of time amplifier 353 must be near positive saturation outputvoltage before relay 354 is actuated is adjustable by the setting ofvariable resistor 373. It may be seen that undue chattering of relay 354is also prevented by capacitor 372 and resistor 373 during times whenthe voltage across load resistor 351 may flucturate above and below thecomparison voltage when the amplifier is first switched by comparisonvoltage relationships. Maintenance of amplifier 353 at near positivesaturation output voltage will result in the exponential charging ofcapacitor 372 until it assume a voltage thereacross substantiallyequivalent to that existing across relay coil 355.

When the movable relay contact 358 is in the position shown in FIGURE 9,that is the position assumed when relay 354 is de-energized, thenon-inverting input terminal of amplifier 353 is connected through aconductor 375, movable contact 358, stationary contact 366, andconductor 376 to the slider of a potentiometer 377 connected between apositive source of voltage 378 and ground. Connected between the sliderof potentiometer 377 and ground is a capacitor 379a which assumes areference comparison vloltage thereacross dependent upon the position ofthe s ider.

When relay 354 is energized, the non-inverting input terminal ofamplifier 353 is connected through conductor 375, movable contact 358,fixed contact 362 and conductor 390 to the slider of a potentiometer 391connected between the positive source of voltage 37 8 and ground. Acapacitor 392 is connected between the slider of potentiometer 391 andground. A capacitor 379b, connected between conductor 375 and ground,prevents the input terminal from assuming noncontrolled, spuriouspotential levels while movable contact 358 is transferring from aconnection with contact 366 to a connection with contact 362 or viceversa.

Consequently, a lower level of illumination of cell 345 is required(when relay 354 is closed) to cause the voltage developed acrossresistor 351 to exceed the comparison voltage applied to thenon-inverting differential input plus the particular offset voltageinvolved and thus to cause amplifier 353 to switch toward negativesaturation so that relay 354 can de-energize.

It will be noted from a comparison of potentiometers 377 and 391 thatthe slider of potentiometer 377 is shown comparison voltage than that ofpotentiometer 391. Thus, when relay 354 is de-energized, the lower,non-inverting input terminal of amplifier 353 is maintained at a morepositive potential than when it is energized. The feature of changingthe comparison voltage applied to the non-inverting terminal ofamplifier 353 is provided to compensate for the reduction in maximumlight level reaching the light sensitive cell 345 when the roller 46 isholding belt 44 against belt 34, as mentioned above.

The relay 354 is employed to control the energization of both thesolenoid 330 and the electromagnet 339. When relay 354 is energized, theengagement of the movable contact 356 with fixed contact 360 results ina circuit being established to solenoid 330 as follows: from thepositive terminal 399 of the power supply 365, through conductor 400,fixed contact 360, movable contact 356, conductor 401, relay coil 330and conductor 402 to ground. The energization of this solenoid, aspreviously explained, will cause arm 334 to be rotated in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIGURE 9). This, in turn, willcause a clockwise rotation of shaft 325 as viewed in FIGURE 3 to causethe roller 46 to be moved downwardly against belt 34. It is to beunderstood that the spring 332 may be adjustable in any suitable mannerto provide a desired amount of pressure of belt 44 against belt 34.

During the time that relay 354 is energized, the electromagnet 339 ismaintained de-energized. A capacitor 404 in series with the winding ofelectromagnet 339 is maintained de-energized by a circuit extending fromthe upper terminal of capacitor 404 through conductor 405, a currentlimiting resistor 406, fixed relay contact 361, movable contact 357 andconductor 407 connecting to the lower terminal of capacitor 404. When,however, relay 354 becomes de-energized so that movable contact 357engages fixed contact 358, an energizing circuit is established forelectromagnet 339 from the positive terminal 399 through conductor 408,fixed contact 359, movable contact 357, conductor 407, capacitor 404 andconductor 410, and electromagnet 339 to ground. Since capacitor 404 iscompletely discharged because of the connection previously traced incontact 361 of the relay, a large initial flow of current can take placethrough this capacitor and through the coil of electromagnet 339. Thiswill result in the armature 338 being attracted to release the latch 335from the bar 195. This will permit the bar to move upwardly under theinfluence of spring 341 and permit the release of rollers 160, 161 and185 from the sheet material. The capacitor 404 is provided to preventcontinued energization of the electromagnet 339 since only a momentaryenergization is necessary to release the latch 335. As soon as thecondenser 404 begins to charge, the current through the winding ofelectromagnet 339 will decrease until the point is reached where it iseffectively de-energized. This is particularly important when theapparatus is initially started up since the relay 354 will be in itsde-energized position and it is not desired to maintain theelectromagnet 339 energized so as to prevent the latch 335 from beingeffective. By the use of the capacitor 404, the start-up energization ofthe electromagnet 339 is only momentary.

In actual practice, the arrangement employing the light 349, the lightsensitive cell 345, the amplifier 353 and the relay 354 is used torespond to the insertion of a paper or other sheet material into theslot 26. As long as the paper merely lies beneath the lens 37 and therollers 160 and 161, the light sensitive cell remains illuminated andthe relay 354 remains de-energized. When, however, the leading edge ofthe sheet reaches a point immediately underlying the roller 46, itinterrupts the passage of light through lamp 349 to the light sensitivecell 345 with the result that the decreased current output of the lightsensitive cell causes the voltage across resistor 351 to drop below thecomparison input voltage to amplifier 353 to cause the operation ofrelay 354 if the main switch 266 is in its on position in which itsswitch 266a is closed. When the trailing edge of the sheet leaves thearea just to the right of point 348 and the light sensitive cell 345,the passage of light coming through belt 34 from lamp 349 to cell 345 isagain no longer interrupted by the sheet material. This causes amplifier353 to switch back to negative saturation, thus de-energizing thecoupling relay coil 355 and its associated time delay components byback-biasing diode 369 so that the de-enerigzation delay time cycle canbegin for relay 354. As pointed out above, the output of cell 345 isless when roller 46 is holding belt 44 against belt 34 as in FIGURE 2than it is when roller 46 is holding belt 44 away from belt 34 as inFIG- URE 3, due to the fact that belt 44 on roller 46 is partiallyblocking the passage of the light rays coming through belt 34 from light349 to the cell 345. This, however, is compensated for by the meanspreviously described as involving resistors 377 and 391, which providethat the comparison voltage applied to the non-inverting input terminalof amplifier 353 when relay 354 is energized is less than that appliedfor comparison when relay 354 is de-energized. Thus compensation for thereduction in maximum intensity of illumination of the light sensitivecell 345 is automatic.

In addition to its use in combination with variable resistor 373 tocause a slight delay in the actuation of relay 354 as discussedpreviously, the capacitor 372 has the additional function of supplyingcurrent to delay the deenergization of relay 354. This is desirablesince when the trailing edge of the sheet leaves the area between points347 and 348, it still has a substantial distance to travel beforepassing over the roller 51. Consequently, it is desirable for the roller46 to remain depressed for a short period of time after the trailingedge leaves the area between the light source 341 and the photocell 345during which time the motion of belt 34 can carry the trailing edge ofthe sheet material to about the region above roller 51 as viewed inFIGURE 1. As previously pointed out, the capacitor 372 becomes chargedto the voltage existing across relay coil 355. Capacitor 372 has asufficiently high capacitance so that, following the deenergization ofrelay 354 by reason of the output terminal voltage of amplifier 353becoming the same as that at terminal 364 of the power supply, the relay355 will remain energized due to the flow of some of the dischargecurrent from capacitor 372 through resistance 373 and relay coil 355.Another poriton of this discharge current flows through variableresistor 371, thus bypassing the relay coil 355. So it is obvious thatthe discharge time of capacitor 372 and consequently the de-energizationdelay time afforded relay 354 can be increased or decreased byrespectively increasing or decreasing the resistance value of variableresistor 371. This provides time for the sheet material to progressonwardly until substantially the entire sheet has passed over the roller51.

The output from amplifier 353 can also be used to provide varioussignals indicative of the position of the sheet in the machine. It willbe noted that the output of amplifier 353 is connected through conductor412 to the input of a differentiator 413 having an output resistor 414connected across the output thereof. As previously explained, duringswitching the output of amplifier 353 changes abruptly from a negativevoltage equivalent to that of terminal 364 of power supply 365 to asuitably higher, more positive voltage and vice versa. Of coursdifferentiation of the output wave form of amplifier 353 produces apositive voltage pulse each time the output of the amplifier is abruptlyincreased and a negative voltage pulse each time the output is abruptlydecreased. The numerals 415 and 416 are used to denote positive andnegative pulses respectively, these pulses being indicative of thepassage of the leading and trailing edges of the sheet material beneaththe light sensitive cell 345. It is obvious that these pulses may beused for controlling various operations in connection with the sheethandling apparatus, particularly when processing such as scanning is totake place whenever sheet material is present or not present in the Hregion on belt 34, as shown in FIGURE 2, between roller 48 and roller56.

It will be noted that switch 305 referred to in connection with FIGURE 8is in series with the relay coil 354. If the roller 46 is depressed sothat the belt 44 is in engagement with belt 34, as shown in FIGURE 3,the opening of switch 305 by reason of the pushing down of push rod 297will de-energize relay coil 354 to cause momentary energization of theelectromagnet 339 to release the catch 335 and the tilt wheel carriage162. It will also cause de-energization of solenoid 330 to release arm334 to permit the rollers to move up to the position shown in FIGURE 3.The movement of rod 297 downwardly also removes the vacuum from chamber60 and either applies pressure thereto or connects the same with theatmosphere. Thus, the actuation of push rod 297 removes from beneath thesheet material any suction applied through box 60, releases the tiltwheels 160 and 161, and releases the roller 46 so that the sheetmaterial can either be adjusted manually or readily withdrawn from theapparatus.

In the foregoing explanation, reference has been made, at severalplaces, to belt 34 as having apertures therethrough. In FIGURE 10, Ihave shown in section one possible form this belt may take. It will benoted that the belt has three layers, 420, 421 and 422. The base layer422, which is the one which engages the various rollers, such as rollers50 and 51, may be of a suitable homogeneous material having reaonablyhigh tensile strength. One material which is suitable for base layer useis an oriented polyester film such as that commercially sold asScotchpar made by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company or Mylarmade by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. A metal, like stainlesssteel, can be employed as base layer 422 where one is to be particularlyconcerned with rigidity and toughness and/or the problem of eliminatingstatic effects. Generally, the oriented polyester films are less subjectto fatigue, however, than is stainless steel. The layer 422 ispreferably about 10 to 25 mils thick and is provided on its undersidewith knurling or embossing in order to provide both a better frictiongrip with the soft surfaces of the rollers over which the belt rides, aswell as to provide the minimum surface, smoothly curved knurled peaks toobtain a minimum friction effect where belt 34 passes over low frictionmaterial surfaces of pressure boxes 60, 62, and 126. The layer 421 maybe of an epoxy type compound which has been pigmented with titaniumdioxide, for example, for whiteness and with silver particles to give itsome conductivity to reduce static efiects. The outer layer 420 is heldto layer 422 by layer 421. Layer 420 is formed of a cloth which may beof a white polyester fiber such as Dacron blended with cotton. In oneparticular example, I found the combination of '65 percent Dacron and 35percent cotton as satisfactory. The fabric should have enough threadfuzziness to eliminate the glossy glare from individual fibers and tohide both the warp and woof threads as well as to minimize thevisibility of the holes 423. The fabric should be treated withconductive material or antistatic material like certain fatty quaternaryamine compounds so as to decrease effects produceable by staticelectricity. The layers 421 and 422 are provided with a plurality ofapertures 423 therethrough. It is through these apertures that thenegative and/or positive pressures in chambers 60, 62, and 126 and thepositive pressure from the nozzle in the end of tube 135 may be appliedto the underside of the paper or the sheet material overlying the belt34. Furthermore, it is due to the presence of these apertures 423 thatit is possible to pass the light from lamp 348 to the light sensitivecell 345. While the apertures do not extend through the outer fabriclayer 420, both a portion of the light and the desired pressure effectsare able to pass through the porous layer 420.

A dewrinkling action which takes place in my paper feeding apparatusisdescribed in my US Patent No. 3,358,554.

The operation has been described somewhat in detail in connection withthe various components of the apparatus. The overall operation will nowbe briefly reviewed.

Let is be assumed first that individual sheets of material are beinginserted into the machine. The sheet is inserted through the slot 26into the throat portion 27, shown in FIGURE 3. The main power switch hasbeen actuated to turn on the various lights, the main drive motor 49,and the power supplies for the various amplifiers and control equipment.This main power switch has also placed into operation the positivepressure source and negative pressure source.

The sheet material will be inserted until it passes beneath the lens 37as best shown in FIGURE 3.

With the sheet material clamped between belts 34 and 44, the sheetmaterial is carried forwardly over the edge of the right-hand wall ofchamber 60 under the roller 46, over the roller 51, over roller 52,(FIGURE 2) and under the roller 48.

After passing under roller 48, the sheet material being processed passesin front of box 62 where it is held onto the belt by reason of the airpressure differential acting through the openings through belt 34 andthe open space between the vanes 65 and the front portion of the box 62.In this region, between rollers 48 and 56, the paper or other sheetmaterial is held firmly and relatively flat. While the sheet material ispassing in front of the box 62, it is operated on in any desired manner.For example, if the machine is a photographic device, it might bephotographed at this time. In the particular embodiment shown, and forwhich the apparatus is particularly designed, there is intelligence onthe sheet material which is scanned and fed to a logic mechanism toautomatically detect and correct for the position of the intelligenceand then read the intelligence. Referring to FIGURE 6, the vidiconcamera tube 101, through the movement or fixed position of mirror 106,progressively scans varying or fixed portions of length AL of each lineof intelligence within region L shown in FIGURE 6, the scanning actiontaking place by reason of electron beam deflecting means within thecamera vidicon structure.

After leaving region H, the sheet material passes between belts 45 and34 and then it is normally held in engagement with belt 34 by negativepressure in box 126 so that no sheet of input material leaves thecarrier belt 34 until the sheet reaches the opening of the hopper 110.At this position, it is subjected to pressure through a tube 135 whichblows the sheet away from the belt 34 so that it drops down into thehopper 110 where it stacks up in the lower portion 113 until removed.

The operator may observe that the sheet is defective in some way. Or inthe case where the material handling apparatus is part of a characterrecognition system and there is realization that the intelligence on thesheet cannot be read, a signal to that efiect will be received from thecharacter recognition portion of the apparatus. When the operatorrecognizes that the sheet material requires rejection to hopper 111, hewould depress knob 23 and thus actuate switch 137 (shown in FIGURES 2and 8) via pin 290 and plunger 295. Where rejection is signaledautomatically, the switch 137 of FIGURE 2 is closed at the proper time.Switch 137 actuates valve 128 to apply positive pressure instead ofnegative pressure to the chamber 126. Under these circumstances, as thesheet material is carried by belt 34 past roller 58, the pressure inchamber 126 keeps the sheet material blown away from the belt 34 causingthe sheet'to enter the hopper 111.

Whenever he sheet material has progressed to a point in its travel wherethe trailing edge of it has passed from the area between light 348 andlight sensitive cell 345, the differential amplifier 353 is effective torespond to the increased intensity of illumination of light sensitivecell 345 to cause de-energization of relay 354. As previously pointedout, despite the fact that the lowering of roller 46 reduces the amountof light passing from light 341 to light sensitive cell 345, this iscompensated for by changing the comparison voltage input to thedifferential amplifier 353. this voltage, [0 which the voltage fromlight sensitive cell 345 is compared, is changed, when the relay 354 wasfirst pulled in, by switching this amplifier 353 comparison voltageinput from a slider on potentiometer 377 to a slider on potentiometer391.

In the foregoing explanation, it has been assumed that one sheet at atime is fed into the machine and [Hal LUIS sheet is allowed to movethrough the machine before another sheet is inserted. As has beenpointed out above, the apparatus is designed to be operated so that thesheet material can be automatically fed. While I have shown no specificautomatic feeding mechanism in the present application, one suchmechanism can be coupled into my apparatus by removing plate 25 togetherwith the rectangular frame 162, the rollers 160 and 161 carried therebyand by disconnecting the cable 235 from the shaft 175. When this isdone, the automatic feeding mecahnism may be fastened into place in thespace previously occupied by this mechanism and by the space immediatelybehind the front panel of the apparatus. A second suitable automaticfeeding mechanism can be mounted on cabinet surfaces and 11 betweenknobs 20 and 24 so as to feed sheets directly and automatically intoslot 27. Still another suitable automatic feeding mechanism, whichinvolves a vacuum transfer drum positioned in tangential contact withbelt 34 approximately one-third of the distance between roller 54 androller 50 in FIGURE 2, can be mounted so as to project through aremovable plate opening, not shown, in panel 11.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel feedingapparatus for sheet material in which provision is made for selectivelydirecting the sheet material into either of various hoppers.

It will further be observed that I have provided a feeding apparatus forsheet material which is particularly adaptable for use in connectionwith a character recognition system.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for feeding sheet material having visible intelligencethereon, comprising:

a housing,

a pasageway in said housing for pasage of said sheet material,

a sheet material feeding means in said housing comprising a driven beltadapted to engage the sheet material during a portion of its travelthrough the apparatus after insertion into said passpageway,

negative pressure means for normally causing said sheet material toreamin in engagement with said belt,

a pair of aligned outlet passages positioned relative to said belt andin said chamber,

actuating means coupled to said negative pressure sheet materialengagement means for controlling operationn thereof to abruptly apply apositive pressure upon said sheet material to direct the leading edge ofsaid sheet material away from said belt when the leading edge of thesheet material is adjacent one of the pair of outlet pasages and it isdesired to have said sheet material enter said one outlet passage,

and means positioned relative to the other of said pair of outletpassages for selectively abruptly applying a positive pressure upon saidsheet material forcing the leading edge of said sheet material away fromsaid belt when the leading edge of the sheet material is adjacent theother of said pair of outlet passages when it is desired to have saidsheet material enter said other outlet passage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means operatively coupledto said actuating means and said selectively forcing means forcontrolling operation thereof depending on which of said pair of outletpassageS the sheet material is to enter.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising automatic meansoperatively coupled to said controlling means for sensing the leadingedge of the sheet material when the sheet material is to be directedinto said one outlet passage and for causing said controlling means tocontrol said actuating means to direct said sheet way from said beltwhen said leading edge is adjacent said one outlet passage, saidautomatic sensing means being responsive to the trailing edge of thesheet material entering said one outlet passage to cause saidcontrolling means to control said actuating means to enable said sheetmaterial engagement means to maintain a subsequent sheet material inengagement with said belt.

4. Apparatus for feeding sheet material having visible intelligencethereon, comprising:

a housing,

a passageway in said housing for passage of said sheet material,

a sheet material feeding means in said housing comprising a driven beltadapted to engage the sheet material during a portion of its travelthrough the apparatus after insertion into said passageway,

a plurality of aligned outlet passages positioned relative to said beltand in said housing,

a pressure chamber immediately adjacent said belt opposite the surfacethereof engaging said sheet material and extending over an area adjacenta first of said outlet passages,

said belt being sufficiently foraminous that the effect of the pressurein said chamber is transmitted through said belt wherein a negativepressure is capable of holding the sheet material against said belt anda positive pressure is capable of directing the leading edge of saidsheet material away from said belt,

actuating means for selectively causing at least one of a negativepressure and a positive pressure to be maintained in said pressurechamber depending upon whether it is desired that the sheet materialenter the first of said plurality of outlet passages,

and means positioned relative to one of the other of said plurality ofoutlet passages for selectively abruptly applying a positive pressureupon said sheet material forcing the leading edge of said sheet materialaway from the belt when the leading edge of the sheet material isadjacent said one of the other of said plurality of outlet passages whenit is desired that the sheet material enter said one of the other ofsaid plurality of outlet passages.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said selectively forcing means is afurther positive pressure chamber adjacent said belt and adjacent asecond of said outlet pas sages so that when the sheet material ismaintained in engagement with said belt while passing the first of saidoutlet passages, it is forced away from said belt by said furtherpositive pressure chamber after it enters the region of the second ofsaid outlet passages.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,813,637 11/1957 Perry 27l64 X3,247,962 4/1966 Obenshain 20974 3,101,942 8/1963 Zyber 271-74 X3,202,302 8/1965 Insolio 271--74 X 3,288,462 1l/1966 Liva 271--64 XEDWARD A. SROKA, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 27174 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent No. 3a 5 a a July 1, 9 9

Inventor(s) J- G. Benjamin It is certified that error appoarl in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column line 12, "3" should read 6 1 Column 5, line 37, "designed" shouldread designated Column 6, lines 17 and 38, "mith", each occurrence,should read with Column 7, line 56, ",suports" should read supports--.Column 9, line 1, "it" should read is line l3, "19" should read 9 line19, after "345" insert is line 21, "The" should read This and line 60,"deenergized" should read de-energized Column 10, line 34, "flucturate"should read fluctuate Column 12, line 45, 'poriton" should read portionColumn 1, line 4. "is" should read it and line 67, "he" should read theColumn 15, line 18, "mecahnism" should read "pasageway" should readshould read passage mechanism and line 43, passageway and "pasage line48, "passpageway" should read passageway line 50, "reamin" should readremain ---3 line 54, o erationn should read operation line 59, "pasagesshould read passages SIGNED AND SEALED MAR 2 41970 Anew mmdmFlemherJr.mum! E. sosuxmm, JR.

Attesting Officer Gonmissionsr of Patents

